Improvement in feeders for pegging-machines



G. M.'CRAM.

Feeder for Pegging Machines.

I Y Patented M'aroh5,-1872;-

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GEORGE M. (DRAM, OF EAST RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,335, dated March 5, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,-GEORGE M. CRAM, of East Rindge, in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, have invented a certain new and useful Feeder for Pegging-Machines.

My invention relates to that general class of peggingm achines which are fed with strips of peg-wood; and it consists in a novel combination and arrangement of a driving spring, feed-wheel, and feed-box, and also in a novel stop-motion, which controls the feed mechanism when the immediate supply of peg-wood is exhausted; and I do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawing furnished and forming a part of the same, is a clear, true, and exact descrip tion of an apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, Figure l represents one of my peg-feeders in perspective. Fig. 2 represents the same in top view, with the crown-plate removed.

A denotes the base plate, on which the apparatus is mounted. It is fitted for attachment to the bed of most machines of the class to which it pertains. B denotes the crownplate supported by three posts, 0, by which it is connected to the base plate. D represents a key-shaft, having bearings in both plates. It extends upward through the crown-plate, and, at its upper end, is fitted to receive a key, wrench, or crank. E denotes the drivingspring, which is coiled and secured at its outer end to a stud, and at its inner end to a keyshaft, D, in a manner well known. F denotes the main driving-gear. It is loosely mounted on the vertical key-shaft above the coil-sprin g. G represents a ratchet-wheel, which is secured to the key-shaft adjacent to the upper side of the main gear. H denotes a spring-pawl pivoted on and to the upper side of the main gear, and arranged to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel G. I denotes the feed-shaft, which also has bearings in the base and crown plates. K denotes a pinion, which is secured to the feed-shaft, and arranged to engage with the driving-gear. L denotes a feed-wheel. It is secured to the feed-shaft below the pinion K. It is provided with teeth sufficient-1y sharp to engage thoroughly with the side of the strip of peg-wood. M denotes the feed-box. It consists, in this instance, of a rectangular block of metal, pivoted at its delivery end to the base plate. In the side adjacent to the feedwheel, and parallel with it, is a channel, a, or flat groove of a proper size to receive the strip of peg-wood b. The face of the box is provided with two thin plates, 0, which constitute one side of the channel or box at each end. At a point midway the channel is open, and the feed-wheel extends into it when the feedbox is forced in that direction. The feed-box on its rear side is provided with a stem, (1, which is encircled by an expansive spring, so set that it constantly causes the feed-box to press against the feed-wheel. A slot-ted eyeplate, 0, is secured to the bed-plate, and is arranged to bear against the spring on the stem (1, so that its pressure may be adjusted at any desired degree.

It will be readily understood that if the feed-box be provided with the end of a long strip of peg-wood, and arranged with the teeth of the iced-wheel bearing against it, the spring, when properly wound, will cause the strip to advance promptly toward the pegging mechanism with a movement alternating between the cutting and driving of each peg, and that the inner end of the peg wood will always be held in proper relation to and firm- 1y against the head plate and driver in the pegging-machine. It is evident that while the strip of peg-wood remains of sufficient length to afford a footing for the feed-wheel the apparatus will expend its force properly; but should the peg-wood pass the wheel, a sudden freeing of the spring would result, unless specially controlled by the operator. I have, therefore, devised an automatic stopniotion, which, by its action, prevents further movement of the mechanism when the strip of pegwood is nearly exhausted, and beforeit passes the feed-wheel.

N represents a spring-pawl, which is pivoted upon and to the upper edge of the feed-box in a recess provided for it. One end of the pawl is provided with a finger, f, which passes through an opening in one of the thin plates 0, and extends into the channel a, and rests either against the rear side of the channel, it empty, or against the side of the strip of pegwood when it is in position. The opposite end of the pawl is provided with a tooth, g, which is fitted to enter the spaces between the teeth of the pinion K. While the finger f is in contact with the peg-wood, the tooth g is kept from the pinion. When the peg-wood has passed the finger, the tooth y then engages with the pinion, and prevents further movement until the end of a new strip is insert-ed. Should a new strip be inserted promptly behind the strip already in the box, and so kept until in contact with the feed-wheel, the stopmotion will of course not be operated 0 represents a stop-lever pivoted on one of the posts G, and arranged to engage with the drivinggear, and prevent motion while the feed-box is, for any purpose, withdrawn from its position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim purposes specified.

GEORGE M. ORAM. Witnesses:

W. F. ALLEN, CHARLES NU'r'rING.

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